Senior police figure suspended over misconduct claim

Gary Thompson's suspension follows that of Chief Constable Rod Hansen earlier this month

A second senior figure at Gloucestershire Constabulary is facing an investigation for gross misconduct in relation to allegations of computer misuse by another member of staff.

The force’s decision to suspend Gary Thompson, the chief of staff, follows the suspension of Chief Constable Rod Hansen on 7 October.

They are being investigated by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) over whether relevant procedures were followed in the wake of the computer misuse allegations.

Mr Thompson declined to comment, and the IOPC said the fact an investigation has been opened did not mean that the two men would necessarily face disciplinary proceedings.

The investigation follows referrals in August from the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Gloucestershire (OPCC) and the constabulary, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

An IOPC spokesperson said: “In respect of our investigation into the Chief Constable of Gloucestershire Constabulary, we can confirm a gross misconduct notice has now also been served on a senior member of staff at the force.

“The investigation concerns the handling by both individuals of an allegation of computer misuse and a potential data breach by another member of staff, and whether relevant policies and procedures were subsequently followed.”

The spokesperson added: “Such notices do not necessarily mean any disciplinary proceedings will follow. Our investigation is ongoing.”

A Gloucestershire Constabulary spokesperson also confirmed a senior member of police staff had been suspended.

“We can confirm a senior member of police staff has been suspended while an investigation into an allegation of gross misconduct takes place,” they said.

“The investigation is being led by the IOPC and is linked to the inquiry into a gross misconduct allegation against Chief Constable Rod Hansen.”

The OPCC announced last week that it has appointed Maggie Blyth as interim Chief Constable pending the IOPC’s investigation into Mr Hansen.

Following Mr Hansen’s suspension, it emerged that Deputy Chief Constable Shaun West had retired over the summer amid a misconduct investigation.

Mr West "is under criminal investigation in relation to a number of serious allegations including assault and misconduct in public office," Gloucestershire Constabulary confirmed.

The investigation into Mr West is understood not to be linked to that into Mr Thompson and Mr Hansen.

The Chief Police Officers Staff Association (CPOSA), representing Mr West, said: "Shaun denies the criminal and gross misconduct allegations and is co-operating fully with the investigation.”